Genetic Testing

Introduction

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Genetics Program is organized around three broad scientific focus areas:

To elucidate the role of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in the genesis of human cancers.

To identify cancer susceptibility genes active in the human population and to develop new molecular assays for cancer risk assessment and for cancer early detection.

To develop new methods and model systems for the discovery of cancer causing genes, and to advance application of cancer genetics to clinical cancer care.

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

The Cancer Genetics program at University Hospitals brings together experts from the Center for Human Genetics and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center to help families with a history of breast, colon or pediatric cancers. The genetics team includes a clinical geneticist who specializes in cancer genetics, as well as an expert staff of cytogeneticists, geneticists, counselors, physicians, and researchers.

The program provides families with:

Medical evaluations

Genetic consultations

Risk assessments

Cancer screenings

Guidance

Testing is also available for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and who have a strong family history of the disease. Results can help physicians and their parents learn if other cancers are likely to develop, enabling them to plan a stringent screening and prevention program.

Currently, the Center offers testing for:

Breast Cancer

Childhood overgrowth syndrome

Colon Cancer

Li-Fraumeni syndrome

MEN (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia) types 1 and 2

Neurofibromatosis, type 2

Ovarian cancer

Osteosarcoma

Prostate Cancer

Retinonblastoma

Von Hipple-Lindau syndrome

Wilms’ tumor

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute

The Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare (CPGH) provides genetic counseling to individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer. Majority of cancers occur by chance, or are sporadic. However, some cancers are caused by an inherited gene mutation, or are hereditary. Identifying a hereditary predisposition to caner allows individuals and families to personalize cancer screening guidelines, medical management and treatment options.

Patients who have a personal and/or family history of the following, should consider making an appointment:

Cancer diagnosed at an early age (i.e., breast or colon cancer diagnosed before 50)

Several generations of family members affected by cancer

Multiple primary cancers in one individual (i.e. breast and ovarian cancer or breast cancer in both breasts)